ReCovered: "Luna Rossa"

One of the most beloved of non-classical Neapolitan standards, "Luna Rossa" is another song that can be, and has been,  interpreted in any number of ways, from the exuberant to the melancholic.  This is not entirely inappropriate, because the story of the song's composer was not an entirely happy one. Antonio Viscione (1918 - 1966), who used the stage name "Vian," made numerous contributions to contemporary Neapolitan music, although "Luna Rossa" is the song which will always be connected to his name. Although his parents, successful hoteliers in Naples, wanted him to become a medical doctor, Viscione was strongly drawn to the humanities, and became an art student.  But the graphic arts did not satisfy his heart, and he was drawn to music from his earliest years.  This interest was opposed by his parents, but at 18, his first song, "Dormiveglia," with lyrics by Ciro Parente, became a hit, and he began to write popular ballads until his death, after long illness, at the age of 48.  There is no definitive version of "Scarlet Moon;" it belongs to whoever is singing it.  But here is a good introduction to the song, by Caetano Veloso.

Most versions of the song do not include whistling, but this was no whim of Veloso's: it is said that Viscione whistled as he composed on his piano or guitar, in lieu of singing. (And whistling is mentioned in the first verse of the song.) A very different, but no less traditional rendition, is offered here by Pietra Montecorvino.  The tempo changes from performer to performer, but the song remains the same; I find Montecorvino's to be somewhat eerie, or perhaps edgy is a better word.  But that's appropriate; it's a dramatic song, as the lyrics, printed below, illustrate.

As we said earlier, the song can be performed in many ways and styles.  Essentially a guitar-based song, it's a favorite of git-fiddle pickers all over Italy, and can be quite a rollicking tune, as demonstrated here by the great Mario Maglione.  When that noble son of Italy, Frank Sinatra, recorded the song, he had a completely new set of English lyrics written, and totally deracinated the original.  Sinatra may have had Italian blood and a fair share of talent, but he had the soul (and lived the life) of a drunken pimp. (Elvis Presley had more respect for the Neapolitan tradition, as he demonstrated in numerous cases.) In any case, Maglione "gets it" as well as anyone:

Speaking of Sinatra: lout though he was, no one could say he wasn't a showman, and he could perform a sing with real drama: he acted out his songs at times.  In that, he was like our final artist, to whom we were introduced in a recent post.  I debated about adding this version; I'm not a fan of "jazz dancers," and God knows I don't care for Michael Jackson-style crotch-grabbing: but neither of those things are seen in this video.  The singer hooks his thumb in his belt like any American cowboy, and the female dancers don't remove a thread of clothing: not even their neckties.  They are merely shadows, or inner glimpses, of the singer: and the singer is the uniquely dramatic Massimo Ranieri. (If it appears that this performance was sponsored by the Italian Tobacco Institute, I refer you to the lyrics.)  I hope you enjoy his rendition, which is a literal acting out of Viscione's lyric.

Scarlet Moon

I walk along unthinking and alone
My cap pulled down to hide my eyes
Hands in my pockets and collar turned up
I walk along whistling at the stars that have come out

And the scarlet moon talks to me about you
I ask if you are waiting for me
and it answers: "If you really want to know,
here, there is no one..."

And I call your name to see you
but everyone who is talking about you
is answering: "It's late, what do you want to know?
here, there is no one!...

 
Scarlet moon,
who will be sincere to me? 

Scarlet moon,
she went away the other night
without seeing me...

I've had more than a thousand dates
So many and more cigarettes I've smoked
So many and more cups of coffee I've drunk
A thousand bitter lips I've kissed

And the scarlet moon talks to me about you
I ask if you're waiting for me
and it answers: "If you really want to know,
here, there is no one..."

And I call your name to see you
but everyone who's talking about you
answers: "It's late, what do you want to know?!
Here, there is no one!..."

And I say that still she's waiting for me,
Out on the balcony tonight at three
and she's praying to see me...
But there is no one...
.